Does Renters Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?

Coverage for renters is focused on your personal belongings inside the unit, not the building itself.
Renters insurance can help replace your property after a severe storm or disaster, but there are exclusions, such as floods and earthquakes.

If you're looking for renters insurance, we're here to help.

Winter weather alerts in your area

Winter storms can affect home insurance claims. Most policies require homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent freeze-related damage, such as maintaining heat, insulating pipes, and protecting outdoor faucets. Damage caused by a lack of basic precautions may result in a denied claim. Insurers may also pause new policies or coverage increases during active weather advisories. See our winter home preparation tips for more guidance.

By Kristine Lee

Updated May 13, 2026

Reviewed By Renata Balasco

Edited By Beth Swanson

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Which disasters are covered?
What's not covered?
Do you need renters insurance?
How to file a claim
FAQs

Renters insurance and natural disasters

It's important to understand what your renters insurance policy covers (and doesn't cover) to protect yourself from financial loss in the wake of a natural disaster, the majority of which are not covered by renters insurance. Renters insurance offers liability coverage, protection for your personal property if it's damaged as a result of a covered peril, and loss of use.

Any property damage to the rental unit itself is not covered by renters insurance; that's for your landlord and their rental property insurance policy to sort out. If the rental unit in which you're living is made uninhabitable via a natural disaster, your renters insurance policy should cover your additional living expenses if you need to find alternative accommodations.

Which natural disasters are covered by renters insurance?

Renters insurance only protects your personal property if your things are damaged or destroyed by one of the following perils:

Fire, lightning, and wildfires

Fire and lightning damage is one of the core perils protected against by renters insurance coverage — this includes wildfires. If you live in a wildfire-prone region, like many parts of California, double-check with your insurance company that your policy covers damage caused by fires and wildfires. In some especially vulnerable locations, insurance companies withhold wildfire coverage due to the elevated risk and the likelihood of damage too expensive to cover through total-loss claim payments.

Windstorm and hail coverage

Windstorms and hail damage are common side effects of hurricanes. Though renters insurance never covers hurricane damage as a whole, your renters policy may cover damage sustained via wind or hail. For example, renters insurance would cover your bike if it were damaged in a hailstorm, but not if it was damaged due to a hurricane. You'd need to prove to your insurer that the hail caused the damage.

Smoke damage

As smoke and fire go hand-in-hand, standard renters insurance will also cover damage to your possessions if they're damaged by smoke. If a fire that started in your kitchen caused smoke to permeate through your rental and damage your furniture, it would be covered.

Volcanic eruption

Renters insurance will cover damage to your personal property — but not the structure of your rental unit — if your stuff is harmed in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption. Like wildfires, if you're in an area prone to volcanic eruptions, you should verify damage is covered as companies might write exclusions based on extreme risk.

Weight of ice, sleet, or snow

If your belongings are destroyed when the weight of snow causes a roof collapse, your renters insurance policy would cover the cost of the goods — but not the damage to your roof. The roof is considered part of the structure of your rental, which is a matter for your landlord's insurance to handle.

💡 Zebra tip: Know what your stuff is worth

A home inventory is just a simple way to keep track of what you own and what it’s worth. If something happens, insurance will ask for a list of the items you lost, and having one ready makes the process much easier. The good news is that there are plenty of apps and tools that make this quick and painless. Even taking a short video of your place on your phone can help you document what you have.

Which natural disasters are not covered by renters insurance?

Insurance claims stemming from the effects of natural disasters tend to be total losses, which is why insurers are reluctant to cover most of the historically catastrophic events, like:

Earthquakes

Also known as "ground movement" to insurers, earthquake damage is exempt from coverage by renters insurance. You may be able to find a separate earthquake policy, however. If you're a renter in California, you can purchase an earthquake insurance policy through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).^[1]

Hurricanes

Renters insurance does not cover damage sustained from hurricanes, specifically. But if you can prove that your personal belongings were destroyed by a related covered peril, like wind or hail, it's more likely you'll get your things covered.

Floods

Water damage or destruction from flooding is never covered by renters insurance, especially if the source of the flooding is from a natural disaster, like hurricanes. Your renters policy will only cover flood damage if the source is from faulty plumbing or appliances. But if you live in a flood-prone area, you may be able to get additional coverage for flood insurance through a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).^[2]

Mudslides or landslides

Like earthquakes, mudslides and landslides are considered to be "earth movements" by insurance companies, an excluded peril that's not eligible for coverage.

Sinkholes

Also considered "earth movement," sinkholes are not covered by renters insurance. However, you may be able to get an endorsement for additional coverage.

Does Car Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?

Comprehensive car insurance coverage protects against natural disaster damage. Learn more below.

Do you really need renters insurance?

If you rent an apartment, condo, or house, it’s easy to assume storm damage isn’t your problem since the building belongs to your landlord. But your landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover your belongings. If a fire or major storm destroyed your place, you’d be responsible for replacing everything you own and paying for a place to stay while repairs are made, which could take months.

Renters insurance may feel like an extra expense, but it’s usually very affordable. For around $20 a month, you can protect your belongings and get help paying for temporary housing if you need it. With replacement costs rising, having coverage can save you from a much bigger financial hit later.

Zebra tip: You might already have coverage

If you’re listed as a dependent, your parents’ homeowners insurance may cover your belongings even if you don’t live at home. This coverage is usually limited and often only equals about 10% of their personal property coverage, so renters insurance may still be worth considering.^[2]

How to file a renters claim after a disaster

After a disaster, renters insurance can help cover your damaged belongings and temporary living expenses, even though your landlord’s policy handles the building itself. To start a claim, contact your insurer as soon as you’re safe.

When you call, be ready to share a few key details:

What happened and when (fire, storm damage, theft after evacuation, etc.)
What personal items were damaged or lost
Whether you can still live in the home or need temporary housing
Any photos, videos, or receipts that help document your losses

💡 A quick tip: save receipts for hotel stays, meals, and other extra costs, since many renters policies include “loss of use” coverage after a covered disaster.

Check out Liberty Mutual for a renters insurance quote so you're protected in case of a disaster.